New All Black scrum-half Alby Mathewson will change his provincial alliegance at the end of this season after agreeing a switch to Auckland.

The Wellington scrum-half won his first cap last weekend off the bench against Australia and will move north in order to secure a first choice berth, after playing second fiddle to Piri Weepu at the Hurricanes. He played Super 14 for the Blues in this season's competition and will make the switch to the capital permament by committing his provincial future to Auckland.

Melbourne Rebels coach Rod Macqueen has backed new recruit Cooper Vuna to achieve international honours having made the switch from rugby league.

A Tongan international international in the 13-man game, Vuna is targetting next year's World Cup and a place in Robbie Deans' Australia squad. And ex-Wallaby coach Macqueen reckons the Newcastle Warrior can succeed when he adapts to the new game.

"I don't think the Wallabies are out of reach for him at all," Macqueen said. "He's the sort of player who could adapt to rugby union quickly."

"My aspiration is to play rugby at the highest level," Vuna admitted. "So yes, I'm talking about the Wallabies. Rod's already told me not to try and play the ball. Rugby's a hard game to learn, but at least I've got a bit of background."